A majority of Premier League clubs reportedly believe Manchester City should be expelled from the top flight next season if their appeal against financial charges fails. City have been found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-year period.
Guilty verdict and appeal
An independent commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them, ruling that they had used 'sham' contracts to disguise more than £830million in funding. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and have launched an appeal against the verdict.
The potential punishment has been the subject of much debate. Some believe City's alleged rule-breaking should result in them being expelled from the Premier League and forced to start again in the non-League pyramid. Others, however, are understood to fear that removing City from the top flight could help revive the European Super League.
Clubs' stance on punishment
According to Sky Sports, Premier League clubs 'do not expect' City to remain in the top flight next season if their appeal fails. It has also been claimed that 'many believe' a points deduction would not be sufficient if it resulted in City spending just one season outside the Premier League.
The apparent consensus is that the rules must apply equally to every club, regardless of their size or status. Some clubs therefore reportedly believe it would be inappropriate for City to receive a punishment lasting only one season for alleged breaches spanning multiple years.
Expulsion from the Premier League is one possible sanction, although it would require 15 clubs to vote in favour. Other potential punishments include a transfer embargo, points deduction or financial penalty.
Club's defence and context
However, The Telegraph previously reported that some clubs believe the Premier League is stronger with City in it and that their absence could damage the competition's global reputation.
City, meanwhile, maintain that they have 'irrefutable evidence' proving the deals in question were legitimate and funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. The Premier League permits state-owned entities to sponsor clubs, an argument that could form part of City's appeal as they seek to prove that the Abu Dhabi United Group did not manufacture illegitimate sponsorship agreements.
Last Friday, City confirmed their appeal and said in a statement: "The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe. The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case."
"We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."
